Disconnecting switch for high current



1958 H. H. RUGG ETAL 2,824,938

DISCONNECTING SWITCH FOR HIGH CURRENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 30, 1954 Fig.|.

Feb. 25, 1958 H. H. RUGG ET AL 2,824,938

DISCONNECTING SWITCH FOR HIGH CURRENT WITNESSES INVENTORS Harold H. Rugg 8 HerberI J. Crobbs I/ 7710 4 way ATTOR EY Feb. 25, 1958 H. H. RUGG ETAL 2,8

' DISCONNECTING SWITCH FOR HIGH CURRENT Filed June 30, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.3.

4O lIlllllllll ,DISCONNECTING SWITCH FOR HIGH CURRENT Harold H. Rugg and Herbert J. Crabbs, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 30, 1954, Serial No. 440,474

9 Claims. (Cl. 200-162) Our invention relates, generally, to electric switches and, more particularly, to disconnecting switches for power distribution systems.

An object of our invention is to provide a disconnecting switch which shall have a high current capacity and which shall be relatively simple in construction.

Another object of our invention is to provide a multiple-blade disconnecting switch in which the blades are disposed to form a hollow square.

A further object of our invention is to provide a multiple-blade disconnecting switch which shall be relatively easy to operate.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a disconnecting switch having two sets of blades which en gage fixed contact members at different times during the closing operation.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a multiple-blade disconnecting switch having blades disposed in different levels but operating about the same hinge axis.

Other objects of our invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of our invention, four double-blade switch members are disposed to form substantially a hollow square. Each blade is generally of an L shape and the blades are so assembled in reversed relation that they hinge about the same axis which lies substantially in line with the adjacent edges of the longer legs of the L-shaped blades. The blades are so mounted that the blades in the lower level engage the break tongue before the blades in the upper level during closing of the switch, thereby reducing the force required to close the switch.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in front elevation, of a disconnecting switch embodying the principal features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a reduced view, in side elevation, of the switch illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, in side elevation, of one of the switch blades utilized in the disconnecting switch;

Fig. 4 is a view, in front elevation, of the hinge tongue of the switch;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged views, in end and side elevation, respectively, of the contact portion of the break tongue of the switch, and

Figs. 7 and 8 are reduced views, in side and front elevation, respectively, of the break tongue.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the disconnecting switch shown therein comprises a channel-shaped base 10, two insulators 11 and 12, which are attached to the base 10, a break tongue terminal member 13 attached to the insulator 11, a hinge tongue terminal member 14 attached to the insulator 12, two pairs atefnt of switch blades 15 which are disposed in a lower level and two pairs of switch blades 16 which are disposed in an upper level, as viewed in Fig. 2. It is to be understood that the lower level is nearer the base 10 than the upper level.

The base 10 is preferably composed of sheet metal and it may be attached to suitable supports (not shown) by bolts inserted into openings 17 provided in the base. The insulators 11 and 12 may be of the usual construction and attached to the base 10 by bolts 18 inserted in openings 19 provided in the base of .each insulator.

As shown most clearlylin Fig. 4, the hinge tongue terminal member 14 comprises a base portion 21 having openings 22 and 23 therein for receiving bolts 24 for attaching the terminal member to the insulator 12. The terminal member 14 is provided with four sides having openings 25 therein for attaching electrical conductors (not shown) to the terminal member. Thus, if desired, bus bars or conductors disposed in the form of a hollow square may be attached to the terminal member 14.

The member 14 is also provided with two hinge tongues 26 to which the switch blades 15 and 16 are attached, as will be more fully described hereinafter. Each hinge tongue has an opening .27 therethrough for receiving a bolt for attaching the switch blades. The terminal member 14 is preferably composed of copper or other suitable electrical conducting material.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the break tongue terminal member 13 comprises a base portion 28 having openings 22 and 23 therein for receiving bolts 24 for attaching the terminal member to the insulator 11. The terminal member 13 also has four sides provided with openings 25 for attaching electrical conductors to the terminal member. Electrical conductors arranged in the form of a hollow square may be attached to the terminal member 13.

The member 13 is provided with two break tongues 29 which may be brazed or welded to the terminal member. As shown in Fig. 5, each tongue 29 comprises a relatively narrow upper portion 31 and a wider lower portion 32. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the upper portion 31 is engaged by a pair of switch blades 16 which are spaced relatively closely together.

The lower portion 32 is engaged by a pair of switch blades 15 which are spaced farther apart than the blades 16. Each break tongue 29 has two grooves 33 therein for receiving bolts which tie the switch blades together.

One of the switch blades 16 is shown in Fig. 3. As shown, the blade 16 is generally of an L shape having a long leg 34 and a short leg or offset hinge portion 35. The blade is provided with a hole 36 in the oifset portion for receiving the bolt for pivotally attaching the blade to the hinge tongue. It is also provided with holes 37 and 38 for receiving pins or bolts for tying the switch blades together. Embossed contact surfaces 39 in the form of ridges extending outwardly from the surface of the blade portion 34 are provided forengaging the break tongue of the switch. The contact surfaces 39 are preferably silver plated to decrease the contact resistance. Silver plated contact areas 40 are also provided around the hole 36. The blades 15 are similar to the blades 16 with the exception that they are shorter in length. The blades 15 and 16 are preferably composed of the same material, such as copper, as the terminal members 13 and 14.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a pair of switch blades 15 and a pair of switch blades 16 are attached to each of the two hinge tongues 26 by bolts 41 having nuts 42 threaded thereon in spaced relation. Spring washers 43 are provided for maintaining contact pressure between the switch blades and the hinge tongues.

f' theswitch blades.

blades 16'are spaced relatively closelytogether and they .gether by' a bolt 41 in the same mannerasthe blades 7 switch are'so tiedtogether'tha't they "a1? aprated ar the 1 47 for receiving a b olt' or pin (not'showi1) i ating theiswitcli blades 1Tlius,"11 "or the witentbta'aes are operated simultaheously. i r 7 a 15engage'thefportidns 32 of thbreak tongues 29 slightly 7 a before the blades1'6 engage the pentonssi bfthtbhgh'e 29 during the erasin fopeiatidnI7Hence required to close'the switchblades 'isidficedl f Q blades. are disposed --iri .subs'tantiallyi a formation. 'Iherefor sectional area of the 'switch b 7 ,As also shown in Fig; .2, the short legs. or ofisebporbladeston'itwo hinge tongues about :Qt'he "same axis which is-located substantially in. line with adjacent :edgesfbf As' previously explained, .the switch engage oppositesides ofthe hin'ge. tongue .26 directly. 10

' The blades are spaced farther apart with one of the blades 15 engaging the outerside of each blade 16. However, since all four blades on ,aonehinge tongue are connected to the tongue by one bolt'41and onespair of spring washers 43, the contact pre ssureis equalized be- 15 tween the blades and the hinge tongue, thereby assuring an equal distribution of'currentfin; the four blades gon one hinge'tongue. i j I t As shown in Fig. '2, the upper ends of: each pairrof switch blades 16'are-tied' togetherhy a belt 'l having nutsfijzand spring washers'43 disposed thereon, A-s'spac ing member 44h disposed on the bolt 41 between each 7 pair of blades 16 to maintain the upper ends 'ofthe'blades in spaced relation, As previously explained, -the ;bolt 41ente'rs a groove 33 in the break tongue -Z9jWhEH -1h6 5 switch blades are closed. 7 I, I -j 1 The upper ends of each pairof blades -15 are tiedtoa 16 are'tied togetherf 'A spacing member 454s; provided between each pair of blades '15Tto maintain'these blades in the proper spaced relation.

The two pairs of blades l6-are 1tied toge ther ediately' ofthe' ends of the blades by pinsflfi which extend throughthe two pairs'of switch blades- 16' and through two brackets 47 which are disposed 'sideaby-side '35 between the two pairs of: blades '15. A spacing: member 44' is provided on the pin 46 betWeerreachpair ofgblades 16 and a spacing member 4Sis-pr0vided on the :pin 46" betweeneach inner blade 16 and one of the braekets 47.

Both pair-sot blades 15 are tied together. and attached to the brackets 47 by pins '49 which extend'throughthe blades 15 and 'thebrackets 4 7 Spacing members (not shown) .are provided' on the pinsf lfi between'feachpair of'blades 15 to maintain the blades inthe proper -spaced relation. Cotter ike'ys Slimay 'be inserted through 'fthe f V 7 pins :46 and to retainith'epins in the switch bl'a'd' es.

in] this manner, all of'the bladesf 1" and 16'. of the,

sametime. openings ,52'T'ar'e provided? I icliT'inay lie '50 connected to aneperann inech'afii's'rii suitable foib per 7 However, the wh n blades are "moaned at the break. tongues 29' are so ctin's'tr'u'cjtedby' 'rnakiiig the ip Tftion's52 'wider' 'than'the portions 31 that the "switchjlade's As explained" hereirib'efore'f'the busjb ar's pr are connected to the'te nal rhernfber's 1 p a hollowsquare "formation; {Thi'fur ipairs- ..bf Q's 'e Switch blad relation to 'carry' hea' hereinbefore, equaljdistributio 1: switch blades is obtained:

each hinge tongue by a oti'the blades conneetedifotne sameiningfe' fengue. I 1 c The two bolts 41"which connect theblads' to the h'irige775 other.

of each other. Likewise, the inner. ends of "the bolts 41 which tie the upper ends of the switch blades to gether are extended to within a short distance of each rent,-the'forcefdf whichhas -a tendency to draw the switch blades together. hebrackets 47 also prevent; the switch blades from being drawn together under. short circuit the sWiteh ia-re arranged in 1a manner ftofobtain-an even 3 distribution of current flow through;theiswitchfblades. 7 Also, certain of thebladesz-are?ofduplicate-construction;

thereby faeilitatingxtheir manufacture". f

Since numerous changes'mayflbe-madexin the bovedescribedgcenstruction and different embodiments -of=the invention;maybe-made without-departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained f I in the foregoing description-orishownfin the accompany -ing drawings :shzillybe-interpreted -as7illustrative and not in i i a limiting sense. a a I a a We claim -as our invention:

'a elec i s t h, q b qniiar upp hinge tongpeterminahmeans mounted onsaid support,

break tongue terminal means also mount dfi krthesupport and having -cqntact surfaces thereon-in an g lpper .7

level andfa lower level; the surfaces-on the lower-; level said pairs of switch blades beingldisposedid an upper level and a lower level to form 'substantially-afhollow square and having overlapping hinge portions said blades 7 being disposed in .otfset planes-corresponding to. the

planes of the contact surfaces onithebreaktongue termie nal means, and all of said blades hinging about'aicoinmon axis ext'endihg' transversely-of the'fswitchj'thidugh the overlapping portions of all of said blades and the 3 hinge tongueterminalmeans.

In an electric' 'switch, -in1combinatioh,.two spaced supports, hinge "ton ue terminal ans mounted on one of said supports, break t'ongue terminal 7 'a'fid' aving eoninsulating oifset laterally from the planes' of the r n posed in ofiset planes cer'respon ng 3; In an electric 7 Thus, the inner ends of "these boltswill beengage'd re-prevent excessive bending of.Tth'e liing'e ah'cl break tongues in the event of a heavy short-circuiticun 's-apparent that we lsvelja' lijirality bf' nai'rsnf switch blades "mounted ,oirthehingetefi ue tsrminarnreansand 'movabl'et e11 5 gage. the break tongue terminal means, said pa t 7 switch liladesbeingdisposedinjan nppenlevel anda lower level to f orm substantially ahollow squareand ha ing-overlapping hingeportions "said =blades heing dis-11 V t H A to the' 'alanelsfof the cont-act surfacesbnthe breakr't'ongue terminal 'rneans,

and all of saidblades hinging about a common axis *ex 7 tending transversely"of the'switchithrouglf theoverlapping portions-of all of" saidblades and the-hinge ongue termie W .nalrmeans, said axis lying subst'a n-tially in l'ine witlitheq L ad-jace'nt'edges ofthe switeh blades, 7 V 7 h, ineombinationg a -s'iipport, hinge tongue terniinal means?niounted 'on saidi PPbrt, E breaktongue-terminal means also mounted' on thesupaf l port and' having eontactisurfaces thereon in dilferent" 'le'vels fanddnplanes ofiset laterally; a'plurality of 'paii's f swi'tch' blades mountedion the hingetongue' terminal.

means and movable to 'eng'agethe'break tongue tennin'al f means, said pairs of switch blades being disposed in an upper level and a lower level to form substantially a hollow square and having overlapping hinge portions, and all of said blades hinging about a common axis extending transversely of the switch through the overlapping portions of all of said blades and the hinge tongue terminal means, the switch blades in one level engaging the contact surfaces on the break tongue in one level before the blades in the other level engage the contact surfaces in the other level on the break tongue during closing of the switch.

4. In an electric switch, in combination, two spaced insulating supports, hinge tongue terminal means mounted on one of said supports, break tongue terminal means mounted on the other support and having contact surfaces thereon in a lower level and an upper level and in planes offset laterally, a plurality of pairs of switch blades mounted on the hinge tongue terminal means and movable to engage the break tongue terminal means, said pairs of switch blades being disposed in an upper level and a lower level to form substantially a hollow square and having overlapping hinge portions, and all of said blades hinging about a common axis extending transversely of the switch through the hinge tongue terminal means and the overlapping hinge portions of the blades, the switch blades in the lower level engaging the contact surfaces on the break tongue in the lower level before the blades in the upper level engage the contact surfaces in the upper level during closing of the switch.

5. In an electric switch, in combination, two spaced insulating supports, hinge tongue terminal means mounted on one of said supports, break tongue terminal means mounted on the other support and having contact surfaces thereon in an upper level and a lower level, the surfaces on the lower level being in planes offset laterally from the planes of the surfaces on the upper level, a plurality of pairs of switch blades having offset hinge portions mounted on the hinge tongue terminal means and movable to engage the break tongue terminal means, said pairs of switch blades being disposed in an upper level and a lower level with the offset hinge portions of the blades overlapping each other, the thickness of the overlapping portion of each blade being no less than the thickness of the rest of the blade, said blades being disposed in ofiset planes corresponding to the planes of the contact surfaces on the break tongue terminal means, one pair of blades in the upper level and one pair of blades in the lower level being hinged on one pin which extends through the overlapping portions of the two pairs of blades, another pair of blades in the upper level and another pair of blades in the lower level being hinged on another pin which extends through the overlapping portions of the two other pairs of blades, and both of said pins being on the same axis which extends transversely of the hinge tongue terminal means.

6. In an electric switch, in combination, two spaced insulating supports, hinge tongue terminal means mounted on one of said supports, break tongue terminal means mounted on the other support and having contact surfaces thereon in an upper level and a lower level, the surfaces on the lower level being in planes offset laterally from the planes of the surfaces on the upper level, a plurality of pairs of switch blades having ofiset hinge portions mounted on the hinge tongue terminal means and movable to engage the break tongue terminal means, said pairs of switch blades being disposed in an upper level and a lower level with the offset hinge portions of the blades overlapping each other, the thickness of the overlapping portion of each blade being no less than the thickness of the rest of the blade, said blades being disposed in offset planes corresponding to the planes of the contact surfaces on the break tongue terminal means, one half of said blades being hinged on one pin which extends through two pairs of blades and the other half of the blades being hinged on another pin which extends through two other pairs of blades, both of said pins being on a line which extends transversely of the hinge tongue terminal means,

7. In an electric switch, in combination, two spaced insulating supports, a hinge terminal mounted on one of said supports, said hinge terminal having two spaced hinge tongues thereon, a break terminal mounted on the other support, said break terminal having two spaced break tongues thereon, each break tongue having two contact surfaces on each side in offset planes, two pairs of generally L-shaped switch blades mounted on each hinge tongue and movable to engage the break tongues, said blades being disposed in offset planes corresponding to the planes of the contact surfaces on the break tongues, the short legs of one pair of L-shaped blades on each hinge tongue being reversed with respect to the short legs of the other pair of blades on said tongue, all of the blades on each hinge tongue being hinged on one pin which extends through the short legs of the blades, and the pins in both tongues being on the same axis which extends transversely of the hinge terminal.

8. In an electric switch, in combination, two spaced insulating supports, a hinge terminal mounted on one of said supports and having a hinge tongue thereon, a break terminal mounted on the other support and having a break tongue thereon, the break tongue having two contact surfaces on each side in offset planes, two pairs of switch blades pivotally mounted on the hinge tongue in ofiset planes corresponding to the planes of the con tact surfaces on the break tongue, all of said blades hinging on one pin which extends through the hinge tongue and the blades, and all of said blades being movable together to engage the break tongue.

9. In an electric switch, in combination, two spaced 1nsulating supports, a hinge terminal mounted on one of said supports, said hinge terminal having two spaced hinge tongues thereon, a break terminal mounted on the other support, said break terminal having two spaced break tongues thereon, each break tongue having two contact surfaces on each side in an upper level and a lower level, the contact surfaces on the lower level being spaced farther apart than those in the upper level, two pairs of switch blades pivotally mounted on each hinge tongue in an upper lever and a lower level, the blades in each level being spaced in accordance with the spacing of the contact surfaces in the corresponding level, all of said blades on one hinge tongue being hinged on one pin which extends through the tongue and the blades, and all of said blades being movable together to engage the break tongues.

Read Sept. 15, 1903 Hoye June 30, 1942 

